Concord C1 BiRetrograde Watch

This might be one of the last C1 watches from Concord. Alternatively there may be only C1 based watches from Concord for the foreseeable future. The reason being the recent resignation of the company’s CEO who apparently had “dreams” for the brand, and now it is unclear what direction they will take. While the C1 style watches with their massive amounts of rubber, large cubic bezel claws, and ‘generously’ thick sapphire crystal, are iconic of the current Concord company – the brand is in dire need of something mew. Until then, we will continue to see only derivative models such as this BiRetrograde model. The name refers to the two retrograde hands on the dial for the date and day of the week. The hands are visible under a semi-opaque sapphire crystal. They use little white frames for indication of the right day or date. The look is acceptable, though one could describe the black outlined scales on the dial to look less than luxury grade. Inside the watch is the automatic Concord C101 movement, though it is not made by Concord. In addition to the day and date, the watch shows the time, sans a seconds hand or display. The 44mm wide by 14.6mm tall case is the same you see on most other Concord C1 watches and is nothing new. Critics of the watch (including myself) will never be taken by the design, though it has its charms for those receptive to the design. Continue Reading… »

Concord C1 QuantumGravity Watch Gets Closer To Baselworld 2009 Reality

Fans of creative haute horologerie are surely counting down the days to the official Baselworld 2009 debut of the Concord C1 QuantumGravity–one of the most anticipated new examples of avant garde watchmaking luxury.  Concord has been craftily getting their talons into us, building the pre-launch suspense by releasing tantalizing tidbits here and there, leaving just enough for the imagination to fill in the blanks. Continue Reading… »

Concord C1 Watch Collection Gains Hot New Models For Fall 2008

The Concord C1 watch collection is going to be getting some new additions shortly.  I hesitate to say “bold new additions”, because well…all the C1 timepieces fit that definition.  In a short time, they have defined a dynamic new brand image for Concord, taking it from being a highly respected but slighty stodgy “old man’s watch”, to something youthful, strikingly contemporary, and extremely desirable. 

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Concord C1 WorldTimer Watch-A Bold Example Of Concord’s “New Direction”

Concord has certainly shown they are serious about transforming themselves into a  luxury watch dynamo!  Gone is the “grandpa” image which tended to characterize Concord collections of old–what Concord watches now project is cutting-edge sportiness, commanding sizes, exotic materials, and dynamic complications.

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Concord C1 Gravity Tourbillon Watch Impresses With Cutting Edge Design And Technique

Concord’s C1 Tourbillon Gravity watch is one of the most stunning high-mech tourbillon executions to come out in sometime–after being titillated with partial photographs, Concord has finally released some images of their tour-de-force.

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Concord C1 Chronograph Shows Rose Gold’s Power For Sport Luxury

The opulence of rose gold is well suited to refined dress watches, which is why its a popular metal for refined dress pieces like the Patek Philippe Calatrava or Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch. However, rose gold is also magnficent in the most cutting edge sports watches, particularly when combined with materials such as rubber, ceramic, or carbon fiber.

Case in point is the much anticipated Concord C1 Chronograph watch. The rose gold version of this sensational Concord timepiece is the very definition of powerful sports luxury presence, with its imposing yet intricate 44mm case, and complex, multi-level dial. The numerous rubber elements on the bezel and case, as well as the stunning carbon fiber dial emphasize the beauty and warmth of the rose gold.

Walk into a room where a number of fine watches are worn, and you will certainly make an impression with this one!

Concord C1 watches – A Dynamic Brand Reinvention

For years, Concord has been one of those brands that I have to confess that I had not paid much attention to. Oh, I knew Concord was respected, and I also was aware that they did some extremely fine complicated pieces (including minute repeaters and perpetual calendars) and used some great movements too (including Zenith’s “El Primero” caliber)…but for some reason, I just never got very excited.

That has all changed after this year’s Basel Fair, with the recent introduction of the very dynamic C1 Chronograph and C1 Big Date watches. As far as sports watches go, these have to be some of the most bold, eye-catching and well-executed since the advent of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore back in the 1990’s. Cynics may point out the Royal Oak influence in this watch but there is no mistaking that the Concord C1 has a lot of its own character. The complicated case design of the C1 watches are really striking, and I can’t get over how cool that fluted crown looks, to say nothing of the amazing multi-level carbon fiber and metal dial. Combine the smashing looks with the purpose bred technical construction (case design, 200M water resistance, movement, etc.) and this should be a sports watch with teeth. In other words, this looks to be a true sports watch that you should be able to wear doing just about anything your body can survive–not an empty creation of high fashion whose apparent “toughness” is only skin deep.

Suddenly, Concord has become very interesting to me!